Say, I’d like to run a pipeline through your yard and then charge you full price for the gas. Never mind that I am willing to pay you nothing for the use of your property... Russia is not asking for “market” price because they know if they turn off the gas they can get more.
Thats actually what is missing from these articles, the details of the agreements between Ukraine and Gazprom.
How much is Ukraine paying for gas, how much are her European neighbors paying, and how much does Gazprom pay for the use of the pipeline.
Ukraine gets a substantial discount compared to her neighbors. Thats part of the dispute, Russia wants to charge Ukraine the same as her neighbors. And my understanding is that Ukraine takes a percentage of the gas in payment for use of the pipeline and then in addition buys a bit more. Part of the dispute is that Russia claims that Ukraine is taking more than what the agreement allows, that in addition a certain percentage of the gas goes missing.
If you’ve got a link with details of the agreement, or details about what Gazprom charges the rest of Europe, I’d appreciate it. Most articles are pretty confusing on that point.